Commander Sam Herbst grew up in northern Wisconsin and entered the Naval Service in 2001 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin NROTC program. He holds a Master’s in National Security Studies. Additionally, he has completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I and Phase II and is a Joint Qualified Officer.

In 2002 he reported to USS RODNEY M DAVIS (FFG 60) as Repair Division Officer, where he deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf with the NIMITZ Strike Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2004 he fleeted up to Navigator and deployed as part of CTG 712.0 for CARAT 2005.

In 2006, CDR Herbst graduated from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA and was assigned as the Assistant Operations Officer for the 3rd Mine Hunting Squadron in Kiel, Germany embarked in the Federal German Ship RHEIN (A 513)
CDR Herbst reported to USS JAMES E WILLIAMS (DDG 95) as the Engineer Officer in 2009 and deployed to JTF HOA for Anti-Piracy Operations. Following his CHENG tour, he was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 22 as the N4.

His most recent afloat assignment was in USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3) as the Navigator, where he deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf in 2015-16 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was awarded the 2015 Commander, US Naval Surface Forces Leadership Award.
Ashore, CDR Herbst has been assigned as the DDG Class Lead at Engineering Assessmen. CDR Herbst’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) hosted more than 150 military and civilian dignitaries from the United States, Fiji, Australia, United Kingdom, Spain, New Zealand and Japan during a reception on the flight deck October 15.

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) visited the port of Pago Pago, American Samoa to pause from operations in the Western Pacific October 27–30.

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